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The Effect Of Alcaligenes Faecalis On Inhibition Of Candida Albicans Biofilm And Planktonic Growth, Nausheen A. Siddiqui

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Candida albicans is a fungal microorganism found on the human body and in the environment. An opportunistic pathogen causing local and systemic infection, this fungus is one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections. More alarming is its growing resistance against the limited number of antifungals we have for treatment Candida infections. An area of current research, termed polymicrobial interactions, focuses on how different microorganisms interact with each other for limited space, nutrients, and survival. The current study focuses on attempting to inhibit planktonic and biofilm growth stages by using the benign bacterium Alcaligenes faecalis, previously shown in our …

2020-April-29-Etsu Student Earns Society Of Critical Care Medicines Star Research Award, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

Star Research Achievement Award

JOHNSON CITY (April 29, 2020) – Dr. Tuqa Alkhateeb, a third-year Ph.D. student in East Tennessee State University’s Department of Biomedical Sciences, was selected as a recipient of the Star Research Achievement Award by the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM). 

The Star Research Award is intended to recognize excellence in critical care research and high-quality original investigative research. Accompanying the award was the opportunity to present her research findings at the SCCM 49th Critical Care …

Endothelial Hspa12b Exerts Protection Against Sepsis-Induced Severe Cardiomyopathy Via Suppression Of Adhesion Molecule Expression By Mir-126, Xia Zhang, Xiaohui Wang, Min Fan, Fei Tu, Kun Yang, Tuanzhu Ha, Li Liu, John Kalbfleisch, David Williams, Chuanfu Li

ETSU Faculty Works

Heat shock protein A12B (HSPA12B) is predominately expressed in endothelial cells (ECs) and has been reported to protect against cardiac dysfunction from endotoxemia or myocardial infarction. This study investigated the mechanisms by which endothelial HSPA12B protects polymicrobial sepsis–induced cardiomyopathy. Wild-type (WT) and endothelial HSPA12B knockout (HSPA12B–/–) mice were subjected to polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Cecal ligation and puncture sepsis accelerated mortality and caused severe cardiac dysfunction in HSPA12B–/– mice compared with WT septic mice. The levels of adhesion molecules and the infiltrated immune cells in the myocardium of HSPA12B–/– septic mice were markedly greater than …

2020-April-20-Hagemeier Polaha And Quinn Named As Presidential Fellows At Etsu, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY (April 20, 202) – East Tennessee State University President Brian Noland has named Dr. Nicholas Hagemeier, Dr. Jodi Polaha and Dr. Megan Quinn as Presidential Fellows for the fall 2020 semester.

As fellows, the three faculty members will develop and execute a project that is aligned with one of the university’s major initiatives in teaching, learning and service. The fellows will work closely with President Noland, his leadership team and ETSU Center for Teaching Excellence staff.

Hagemeier has been at ETSU since 2011. He is vice chair and associate professor of Pharmacy Practice and director of Student Professional …

2020-April-01-Etsu Health To Transition Drive-Through Covid-19 Testing Site To Health Department, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY (April 1, 2020) – With an increase in regional COVID-19 testing capacity, ETSU Health will close its drive-through COVID-19 testing site, located at 325 North State of Franklin, effective April 1, 2020. While the drive-through site will no longer be open, ETSU Health will continue to administer COVID-19 testing in its clinics.

“The local health department has just opened their drive-through testing sites in Washington County and the surrounding counties,” said Dr. Jonathan Moorman, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine. “These new sites are open to the public …

2020 March 9 - University Council Agenda And Minutes, University Council, East Tennessee State University

University Council Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

2020-March-02-Etsus Agrawal Awarded Million Nih Grant, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY (March 2, 2020) – East Tennessee State University’s Dr. Alok Agrawal received an award for a new R01 grant proposal from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health to further develop his research on a protein that could be used to develop a treatment for pneumococcal infection.

The project, “Complement-mediated anti-pneumococcal functions of C-reactive protein,” is funded until January 31, 2025, at $370,000 per year, with the total funding amounting to $1,850,000. 

Agrawal is a professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences in ETSU’s Quillen College of Medicine. He is a member of …

2020-March-01-Coronavirus Testing, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

UPDATE: ETSU is no longer offering a drive-through COVID-19 testing site. For current information about COVID-19 testing, please visit the University Health Center.

JOHNSON CITY – In an effort to increase testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the region, ETSU Health has established a community testing site open to pre-screened and pre-registered patients.

Beginning Tuesday, March 17, the ETSU Health testing site, located at 325 North State of Franklin,  will be set up and open to members of the community. Screenings will be available to those who are experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus and have been screened by …

Characterization Of Proteus Species Inhibition Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa’S Quorum Sensing Molecule Pyocyanin, Grayson Wright

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The identification of antimicrobial compounds that inhibit multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria continues to be a significant area of research to combat the public health threat posed by MDRs. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative, MDR bacterium found within both the environment and healthcare settings. Our laboratory has observed another Gram-negative bacterium, Proteus species, exerts an interesting polymicrobial interaction with Pseudomonas aeruginosa by potentially compromising the quorum sensing (QS) factor, pyocyanin, of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Production of pyocyanin by Pseudomonas is the main method the bacterium uses for communication and coordination of virulence. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of Proteus mirabilis and …

2020-February-19-Professors Receive Funding To Study Adverse Childhood Experiences Aces, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY (Feb. 19, 2020) – Dr. Megan Quinn and Dr. Shimin Zheng, associate professors in the East Tennessee State University College of Public Health’s Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, have been awarded a Research Development Committee Major Grant for a pilot study to assess how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) affect a patient’s readiness to adhere to HIV treatment. 

The researchers will collaborate with ETSU Health’s Center of Excellence for HIV/AIDS and the Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity. This project stemmed from work that Quinn completed with Elaine Loudermilk, a doctor of public health student in …

2020 February 13 - Academic Council Agenda And Minutes, Academic Council, East Tennessee State University

Academic Council Agenda and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Association Between Stigma Towards Hiv And Msm And Intimate Partner Violence Among Newly Hiv-Diagnosed Chinese Men Who Have Sex With Men, Na Wang, Bo Huang, Yuhua Ruan, K. Rivet Amico, Sten H. Vermund, Shimin Zheng, Han Zhu Qian

ETSU Faculty Works

Background: HIV- and MSM-related stigma are well documented as common for Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV, yet there is sparse literature on intimate partner violence (IPV) and its relationship with stigma in this vulnerable population. To evaluate the association between HIV-stigma and stigma related to homosexuality and IPV among newly HIV-diagnosed MSM in China. Methods: Data were collected in the baseline survey among newly HIV-diagnosed Chinese MSM in a randomized clinical trial via face-to-face interviews. Univariate logistic and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations between IPV and HIV- and MSM-related …

Iron Deficiency And Iron Deficiency Anemia: Implications And Impact In Pregnancy, Fetal Development, And Early Childhood Parameters, Robert T. Means

ETSU Faculty Works

A normal pregnancy consumes 500–800 mg of iron from the mother. Premenopausal women have a high incidence of marginal iron stores or iron deficiency (ID), with or without anemia, particularly in the less developed world. Although pregnancy is associated with a “physiologic” anemia largely related to maternal volume expansion; it is paradoxically associated with an increase in erythrocyte production and erythrocyte mass/kg. ID is a limiting factor for this erythrocyte mass expansion and can contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review summarizes erythrocyte and iron balance observed in pregnancy; its implications and impact on mother and child; and provides an …

2020 January 27 - Graduate Council Minutes, College Of Graduate And Continuing Studies, East Tennessee State University

Graduate Council Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Essential Notes On Pathophysiology For Advanced Practice Nurses, Alex Sargsyan

Open Educational Resources

This text is a compilation of lecture notes from pathophysiology courses I have taught over the last ten years. The goal of the text is to equip future advanced practice nurses with knowledge of pathophysiology for common diseases and disorders they may encounter in the primary care setting.

Gattonrx Magazine - 2020, Bill Gatton College Of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University

GattonRX Magazine

No abstract provided.

Bill Gatton College Of Pharmacy Viewbook - 2020, Bill Gatton College Of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University

Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy Miscellaneous Publications

No abstract provided.

State Of The University Annual Report - 2019-2020, Office Of The President, East Tennessee State University, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

Office of the President State of the University Annual Report

No abstract provided.

Etsu Health Annual Report - 2020, 2020

ETSU Health Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

Diffuse Sarcoidosis Masquerading As Widespread Malignant Disease: A Rare Case Report And Literature Review, Pradnya Brijmohan Bhattad, Vinay Jain

ETSU Faculty Works

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease commonly involving the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes with the exact etiology being unclear. The simultaneous presence of malignant disease such as breast cancer and sarcoidosis has been reported. Sarcoidosis preceding a diagnosis of malignancy and that occurring years after treatment of malignant disease has been noted in the past. The presence of sarcoidosis in the setting of malignant disease carries a high risk of misdiagnosis. In this article, we report the case of a 45-year-old female with stage IA invasive ductal carcinoma of left breast that was in remission for 2 years; however, …

Pap Utilization Survey In Nueva Vida, Nicaragua: Professional And Health Promotoras Partnership, Olushola O. Ogunleye, Bethesda J. O'Connell, Megan Quinn, Lea C. Florence, Kaitlyn Shirely

ETSU Faculty Works

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women in developing countries and accounted for 84% of the global incidence of cervical cancer in 2012. Nicaragua is one country illustrating this disparity, with an annual cervical cancer mortality six times the U.S. rate. This may be explained by lack and poor utilization of effective screening programs, especially the Papanicolaou, or Pap, smear. This study resulted from a partnership formed by faculty and students from two U.S. universities and a Nicaraguan nonprofit organization to conduct projects to benefit a community in Nicaragua. To promote a free Pap smear program provided …

Doctor Youtube’S Opinion On Seasonal Influenza: A Critical Appraisal Of The Information Available To Patients, Akhil Kallur, Ahmad Albalbissi, Ismael Carillo-Martin, Boonphiphop Boonpheng, Lakshmi Kallur, Yaman Kherallah, Akhilesh Mahajan, Shayan Mahapatra, Kaushik Mohan, Priyasree Mohan, Keerti Reddy, Pratyaksha Sankhyan, Sonia Lopez-Alvarez, Dima Youssef, Adel M. El Abbassi, Alexei Gonzalez-Estrada

ETSU Faculty Works

Background: Seasonal influenza is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. During the 2017–2018 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted approximately 959,000 hospitalizations and 79,400 deaths from influenza. We sought to evaluate the educational quality of informational videos pertaining to seasonal influenza on the popular social media forum, YouTube. Methods: Using the keywords “seasonal influenza,” all videos from 28 January to 5 February 2017 were included and analyzed for characteristics, source, and content. The source was further classified as healthcare provider, alternative-medicine provider, the patient and/or their parents, company, media, or professional society. Videos about …

2019-December-02-Studies Examine Medication Adherence Among Hiv-Infected Patients, University Marketing And Communications, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

No abstract provided.

Role Of Topoisomerase Ii Alpha In Dna Topology And T Cell Responses During Chronic Viral Infections, Stella Chinyere Ogbu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The clearance of viruses is largely dependent upon the activation of T cells to generate a robust immune response. However, host responses are suppressed during chronic viral infections. In this thesis, we explored the role of Top2α in DNA topology in individuals with chronic HBV, HCV, and HIV infections. We found that Top2α protein expression and activity were low in T cells derived from chronically virus-infected individuals compared to healthy subjects. Using CD4⁺ T cells treated with Top2α inhibitor or poisoner as a model, we demonstrated that Top2α inhibition disrupts the DNA topology, suppresses DNA repair kinase (ATM), and …

Memory-Like Inflammatory Responses Of Microglia To Rising Doses Of Lps: Key Role Of Pi3kγ, Trim Lajqi, Guang Ping Lang, Fabienne Haas, David L. Williams, Hannes Hudalla, Michael Bauer, Marco Groth, Reinhard Wetzker, Reinhard Bauer

ETSU Faculty Works

Trained immunity and immune tolerance have been identified as long-term response patterns of the innate immune system. The causes of these opposing reactions remain elusive. Here, we report about differential inflammatory responses of microglial cells derived from neonatal mouse brain to increasing doses of the endotoxin LPS. Prolonged priming with ultra-low LPS doses provokes trained immunity, i.e., increased production of pro-inflammatory mediators in comparison to the unprimed control. In contrast, priming with high doses of LPS induces immune tolerance, implying decreased production of inflammatory mediators and pronounced release of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Investigation of the signaling processes and cell functions involved …

Atm Deficiency Accelerates Dna Damage, Telomere Erosion, And Premature T Cell Aging In Hiv-Infected Individuals On Antiretroviral Therapy, Juan Zhao, Lam Ngoc Nguyen, Lam Nhat Nguyen, Xindi Dang, Dechao Cao, Sushant Khanal, Madison Schank, Bal Krishna Chand Thakuri, Stella C. Ogbu, Zheng D. Morrison, Xiao Y. Wu, Zhengke Li, Yue Zou, Mohamed El Gazzar, Shunbin Ning, Ling Wang, Jonathan P. Moorman, Zhi Q. Yao

ETSU Faculty Works

HIV infection leads to a phenomenon of inflammaging, in which chronic inflammation induces an immune aged phenotype, even in individuals on combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) with undetectable viremia. In this study, we investigated T cell homeostasis and telomeric DNA damage and repair machineries in cART-controlled HIV patients at risk for inflammaging. We found a significant depletion of CD4 T cells, which was inversely correlated with the cell apoptosis in virus-suppressed HIV subjects compared to age-matched healthy subjects (HS). In addition, HIV CD4 T cells were prone to DNA damage that extended to chromosome ends—telomeres, leading to accelerated telomere erosion—a hallmark …

Harmonizing Clinical, Research, And Teaching Aims: Team Care For Patients With Complex Needs, Alicia Williams, Millie Wykoff, Ryan Tewell, Jodi Polaha, Jim Holt

ETSU Faculty Works

At the conclusion of this session, the participants will be able to:
1. Describe a team-based approach to addressing complex patients’ needs.
2. Develop engaged and experiential methods for teaching interprofessional learners about team-care for complex patients.
3. Demonstrate familiarity with an evaluation strategy and preliminary outcomes data for a team approach for complex patients.

2019 September 20 - Board Of Trustees Academic, Research, And Student Success Committee Agenda And Minutes, Board Of Trustees, East Tennessee State University

Board of Trustees Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Pathogenic Interplay Between Chlamydia Trachomatis And Neisseria Gonorrhoeae That Influences Management And Control Efforts—More Questions Than Answers?, Cory Ann Leonard, Robert V. Schoborg, Nicola Low, Magnus Unemo, Nicole Borel

ETSU Faculty Works

Purpose of Review: To emphasize key gaps in knowledge impacting efforts to control single infection and co-infections with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. Recent Findings: Clinical and epidemiological studies describe gaps in understanding about female rectal CT infection, screening effectiveness, pelvic inflammatory disease, and influence of the microbiome. For NG, gaps in knowledge include factors increasing incidence in men who have sex with men, correlations between treatment and antibiotic resistance, the role of pharyngeal infection, and microbiome influence. CT/NG co-infections are poorly understood, and adequate models to explore pathophysiological …

Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic Handbook - August 2019, Department Of Audiology And Speech-Language Pathology, East Tennessee State University

Speech-Language Pathology Handbooks

No abstract provided.